York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has announced another record year.

York Handmade, one of the top independent brickmakers in the north of England, had a turnover of almost £2.4 million last year - an increase of seven per cent on 2005.

Its chairman, David Armitage, now wants to increase turnover by another 30 per cent in the next three years.

He said: "Last year was comfortably our best year ever.

"It doesn't seem all that long ago since our turnover passed £1 million per annum, and in the last ten years we have virtually doubled our sales figure.

"As ever, our tremendous performance reflects extremely well on our highly professional sales force, both within the company and out in the field."

He said one major reason for the figures was the company's outstanding performance with the self-build sector.

It now supplies almost £900,000-worth of material each year to that sector.

"Turnover in this field has doubled since 2002, and is a direct reflection of the fact that self-builders of high quality individual homes now make York Handmade their first stop when it comes to brick choice," said Mr Armitage The company will shortly have a stand in the new National Self Build & Renovation Centre at Swindon, a groundbreaking development marking the coming of age of self-build and renovation.

As a result of its success, York Handmade has invested £400,000 in a new 16,000 sq ft factory at its site at Alne, with full production set to begin by the end of the year.